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FAQ

  • Top 50 Farmers (T50F) is an acceleration platform and community hub designed to scale regenerative farming. The initiative launches in Europe in November 2024 and will expand its efforts globally.

  • Top 50 Farmers aspires towards a future where regenerative farming practices are the universal standard in agriculture.

     

    The primary goal of Top 50 Farmers is to inspire a new generation of farmers and accelerate the adoption of regenerative farming practices that build healthy soil, create resilient food systems, and support surrounding communities. Top 50 Farmers aims to create pathways for connection and access to capital, market opportunities, and peer networks to foster collaboration and scale regenerative farming across regions.

  • At its core, regenerative farming works with nature rather than against it. While there is no universally-accepted definition, Top 50 Farmers views regenerative agriculture as a holistic farming approach that enhances the environment, the soil, plant and animal welfare, and communities.

     

    Top 50 Farmers believes in the importance of a food system that doesn’t rely on synthetic and chemical inputs, but builds living soil—the foundation of regenerative agriculture—rich in microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and earthworms that aid in nutrient cycling, improve soil structure, and boost water retention.

     

    Regenerative practices include crop rotation, cover cropping, reduced tillage, composting, and livestock integration to revitalize soil health. As a result, crops grow stronger and build resistance to pests, eliminating the need for pesticides and synthetic input. 

     

    By improving soil fertility and working in harmony with natural ecosystems, regenerative farming creates resilient, sustainable systems that address biodiversity and environmental challenges while producing nutrient-rich food for future generations.

     

    Read more here.

  • Launched initially in Europe, Top 50 Farmers is led by Foodprint Nordic, a nonprofit organization that enables restaurants, bars, canteens and hotels to invest 1% of profits in regenerative farming projects in the Nordic countries. Top 50 Farmers is co-founded by Cindie Christiansen, executive director of Foodprint Nordic, and Analisa Winther, whose work centres on connecting actors in the food space and building ecosystems. Analisa is also the founder and host of the Future Food podcast.

     

    Top 50 Farmers is supported by an advisory board, including industry leaders Philippe Birker, Birgit Cameron, Eric Archambeau, and Leslie Kapin, who guides the the project. 

  • Top 50 Farmers is backed by a consortium of European foundations that have spent decades working across the value chain to support the regenerative transition. Top 50 Famers has received seed funding from Astanor and is financed by the DOEN Foundation, the AVINA Foundation, and the Nest Foundation.

    • The Open Nomination: Top 50 Farmers will be built on the voices and experiences of regenerative farmers. Through its annual open nomination process, the organization will gather information to select and champion new farmer role models. These farmers will gain access to resources that could open potential new market and finance opportunities.

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    • The T50F Recognition Program: The Top 50 Farmers Recognition Program is dedicated to celebrating the work and stewardship of regenerative farmers. Through the nomination process, 50 farmers who are practicing or transitioning to regenerative agriculture will be selected to serve as role models for the next generation. The program provides these farmers with mentorships, peer-to-peer networking, pathways of access to market opportunities, and capital. The selected farmers will be celebrated for their collective impact at the yearly Recognition Ceremony.

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    • Top 50 Farmers Network: The T50F platform connects farmers with nonprofits, educational hubs, investors, and community organizations to provide practical resources and support for scaling regenerative agricultural practices.

  • Starting on November 11, 2024, Top 50 Farmers will open nominations across Europe for a one-month period. Farmers are selected based on their commitment to regenerative and sustainable farming practices, contributions to their local communities, and innovations in agricultural techniques.

     

    Nominations are reviewed by a panel of experts from diverse fields, including nonprofit leaders, professors, farmers, scientists, and storytellers, ensuring the selection process reflects transparency, excellence, and integrity.

  • The selection committee is composed of farmers, nonprofit founders, professors, scientists, and experts committed to the regenerative transition. Their role is to review nominations and ensure that 50 candidates are recognized for their leadership in advancing regenerative farming practices. The names of the committee members can be found on the Top 50 Farmers website (not posted yet).

  • Farmers need to have been applying regenerative practices for at least one year. T50F acknowledges the transition time for farmers wishing to begin the regenerative journey. For Farms in transition, the farmers must have a strong commitment, clear vision and a timeline  for phasing out conventional pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.

  • Anyone can nominate a regenerative farmer, including community members, industry professionals, and fellow farmers. Farmers can also nominate themselves by filling out an application directly. The process is inclusive, encouraging a diverse range of stakeholders to recommend farmers committed to regenerative agriculture.

  • Farmers who meet the following criteria can apply for Top 50 Farmers: 

    • You have been applying regenerative practices for a minimum of 1 year 

    • Your farm is in transition, but you have a strong commitment, clear vision, strategy and timeline for phasing out chemicals, such as conventional pesticides and synthetic fertilizers 

    • Your farm is registered as a business. 

    • Your farm is located in the EU, Switzerland, EEA or the UK. 

    • Farmers using greenhouse-growing seedings that will spend the majority of life soil.

    • You have been applying regenerative practices for less than 1 year 

    • You dont have a commitment, vision,  strategy and timeline for phasing out chemicals, such as conventional pesticides and synthetic fertilizers 

    • You are using soilless practices such as aquaponics, hydroponics and container growing where crops are never integrated into a field.

    • AMPLIFY YOUR STORY AND BRAND: As one of the Top 50 Farmers, your regenerative journey will be showcased on the Top Farmers’ website and social channels. This visibility opens doors to new opportunities as financiers, consumers, and peers learn about your work and its impact. Sharing your story also inspires the next generation by highlighting diverse role models, fostering resilience, and drawing new talent to the fields. Moreover, it signals to policymakers that this movement is thriving.
       

    • CONNECT & LEARN FROM PEERS: Farmers are always listening and learning from the land. Each season presents unique challenges that demand resourcefulness and collaboration. As part of the Top 50 Farmers, you’ll join a community of passionate European regenerative farmers who share your values and commitment to nurturing the land, providing healthy food, and building sustainable businesses. Through virtual and in-person networking, you can forge connections, find inspiration, share insights, and receive support as you grow.

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    • ACCESS TO MARKETS & FINANCING: Farmers possess valuable ideas and firsthand experience essential for advancing the regenerative movement. At Top 50 Farmers, we aim to learn from you to shape our platform and create new opportunities. As we develop the Top 50 Farmer Recognition Program, you’ll gain access to forums for sharing feedback with decision-makers, along with mentorships, roundtables, and learning sessions to support your efforts. Our goal is to make regenerative agriculture the industry standard, paving the way for new markets and financing opportunities that benefit you and the community of regenerative farmers.

  • Selected farmers will be notified in January and February 2025. These 50 farmers will be featured on the Top 50 Farmers website and in a series of events and publications, offering a platform to share their insights and inspire future agricultural leaders. Their recognition culminates in a virtual recognition ceremony where they will be formally recognized for their contributions to the regenerative movement.

    • The recognition ceremony is scheduled for February 2025. This first recognition ceremony will be virtual and will include the announcement, keynote speakers, and recognition of the 50 selected farmers.

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    • For the second cohort, in 2026, T50F will bring the 50 selected farmers together with industry stakeholders, government officials, leaders in the space, and the media to celebrate their achievements at a physical event.

  • Top 50 Farmers is about celebrating the collective efforts of farmers leading the regenerative transition. Therefore, Top 50 is not a ranking but a recognition of commitment and progress.

  • Information from the application questions is used exclusively to create opportunities that support and empower farmers and the regenerative farming space. The raw data provided in the application is accessible only to the Selection Committee and the Top 50 Farmers team. 

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    Top 50 Farmers can share aggregated insights on regenerative practices and experiences with research institutions and trusted organizations within the T50F network. This shared data will be anonymized and not linked to any specific applicant.

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    Personal details such as names, photos, and experiences will only be shared for the 50 selected farmers. Financial and well-being information will remain private for the collective gathering of information and will not be made public.

  • ​​Top 50 Farmers is launching first in Europe with plans to expand efforts and work in other regions and countries over time.

  • For general questions: hello@top50farmers.org

     

    For questions about the nomination and the application: nomination@top50farmers.org

     

    For media inquiries: media@top50farmers.org

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